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Royals-Reds Preview

Jun 12, 2010 - 4:39 AM By DAN PIERINGER STATS Editor

Kansas City (25-36) at Cincinnati (35-26), 7:10 p.m. EDT

The Cincinnati Reds' reputation for coming back and winning late had to comfort them as they headed to extra innings in their last game. It also may have made it that much more disappointing when the team failed to capitalize on several chances to close out another dramatic victory.

Cincinnati looks to rebound from an uncharacteristic performance as it continues a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night at Great American Ball Park.

The NL Central-leading Reds (35-27) have become experts at pulling out late wins, notching 21 come-from-behind victories and winning 12 games in their last at-bat, including a 7-6 decision against San Francisco on Thursday.

Their typically clutch hitting failed them Friday night, however, as Cincinnati stranded eight runners over the final four innings of a 6-5, 11-inning loss to Kansas City (26-36). Leading the majors with a .297 batting average with runners in scoring position, Cincinnati left a runner at second or third in each of the last four frames.

"We had plenty of opportunities," said manager Dusty Baker, whose team hasn't lost a series at home since dropping two of three to San Diego from April 23-25. "It's tough, especially when you've been so good at picking up baserunners."

Royals shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt contributed significantly to Baker's disappointment, finishing with three hits and driving in four runs, including the game-winner. Betancourt is batting .372 in his last 11 interleague games.

Betancourt will look to continue his hot hitting against the NL by taking advantage of Johnny Cueto's recent struggles. One of the best pitchers in the majors with a 1.59 ERA in May, Cueto (5-1, 4.25 ERA) has a 9.82 ERA in two June starts.

The right-hander gave up four runs and 10 hits in six innings and didn't get a decision in Cincinnati's 6-5 loss to San Francisco on Monday.

"He was missing his spots," catcher Ramon Hernandez said. "He got ahead of a couple of guys, but he couldn't put them away."

Cueto is 3-2 with a 3.45 ERA in eight interleague starts, including a 7-1 loss at Kansas City last June. He yielded five unearned runs on two errors over six innings in that game, his only appearance against Kansas City.

Brian Bannister (6-3, 4.50) scattered four hits over eight scoreless innings to win that contest, and he'll match up again with Cueto.

Bannister, though, could have a hard time duplicating his performance from last season. The right-hander is 8-4 with a 2.92 ERA in 14 starts during the day since the start of 2009, including the win over the Reds. But he's gone 5-11 with a 5.74 ERA in 24 starts at night during that same stretch.

Bannister has posted a 3.66 ERA while winning five straight starts. He held Detroit to two runs and five hits in 7 1-3 innings of a 7-2 victory Sunday.

"He never throws anything straight," Royals manager Ned Yost said of Bannister. "His fastball cuts one way, his changeup cuts the other. So it's very difficult to get a read on as a hitter."